Jennifer has been expressing herself through movement for as long as she can remember. A native-born American, her journey began as a professional dancer and performing artist. Yoga and Pilates were the channels through which she maintained her physical, mental and emotional well-being throughout an intense performing career in New York, so therefore the transition into teaching was seamless.

She spent several years as a training facilitator for Byron Yoga Center and Bliss Baby Yoga (whom she continues to work beside) before founding Jayayoga, which was born of her passion for providing students and teachers alike with a methodology of yoga practice that was widely accessible and could be sustained for a lifetime. Jennifer believes that the body is the vehicle through which we can express our deepest energetic self, and the union of mind, body and breath has the ability to connect us with our highest functioning potential.

LIZ HOARE- RYT 500 Jayayoga

A native-born Canadian, Liz planted roots in New Zealand nearly 15 years ago. When she is not teaching yoga, chances are she is running after her 3 beautiful, messy, crazy, amazing boys!

Teaching came naturally to Liz, as she spent many years as an internationally qualified ski instructor, and holds a bachelor of health science in Occupational Therapy. Through it all, yoga has been a quiet force within her, and when time finally allowed, she made space to complete her yoga teacher training with Jayayoga.

She teaches regularly around Auckland, and her classes create a sacred space of allowing, self acceptance, and inquiry.

LEONIE KEANE- RYT 500 Jayayoga

Leonie initially came to yoga in 2012 as an escape from the stresses of CrossFit and a career in the corporate world, little did she know it was about to change her life. Soon, Leonie saw more than movement but the penny really dropped when she realized the benefit of breath and power of meditation. Leonie's physical practice blossomed as she found her asana sweet spot somewhere between yin and vinyasa. Teaching both Yin and Yang classes, Leonie's classes are suited to all students of yoga with modifications offered for any limitations in mind or body. Leonie’s classes are light and fun with an emphasis on building compassion, strength and resilience in the body, mind and heart. Through the use of the range of tools available through breathwork, meditation and movement Leonie believes we can conquer the tallest mountains of Life.

FRANCESCA LYON- RYT 200 Jayayoga

Francesca started her yoga journey 10 years ago, exploring different types of yoga to help to cope with stress, and found that it ended up completely changing her life. After training with Jayayoga in 2016, she taught at various studios in Auckland, before moving to Amsterdam to continue teaching yoga and studying Natural Medicine.

Francesca hopes to share her classes that are focused on unifying your breath and movement in order to unite the mind and body, leaving you feeling balanced, restored and energized. With her background in psychology, reiki and natural medicine, Francesca aims to draw on a range of different teachings in order to provide a well rounded and nourishing class. Her classes provide a space for you to practice compassion to yourself in a safe and sustainable way.

Mary Anne was born in a small country town in NZ, and had never even heard of Yoga until she came to Auckland as an adult! She was instantly intrigued by the physical practice, and grew into the spiritual and energetic practices gradually. In 2016 Mary Anne completed Jayayoga’s 200 Hour Teacher Training, and now teaches 2 regular Yin Yoga classes a week at the studio. In addition, she has completed many hours of continuing education through Maria Kirsten in Byron Bay, Australia. Mary Anne creates a safe, nurturing learning environment where she can help others to explore their own bodies, minds and spirits without judgement or expectation and discover their own inner strength.

‘We are all different…it is not about how we look but how we feel. I want to help others to develop a love of yoga the way I have, and experience for themselves the transformation of their lives. If I can inspire even one person I will be happy.’

KIM VAN GALEN- RYT 500 Jayayoga

Kim has always been passionate about exploration in all forms, pursuing new challenges and maintaining a healthy, active and inspired lifestyle. During a time a deep grief and personal trauma, Kim found yoga in a new and profound way. No longer was yoga a way to maintain natural flexibility, it was a pathway to healing the mind, body and heart. Once that shift occurred, Kim developed a yearning to share the practice of yoga.

Kim teaches mindful, subtle, meditation through movement with a focus on the breath, flooding the mind and heart with positivity and nurturing every students confidence, strength and awareness of their body’s limitless capabilities. In order to acquire faith in our capabilities, our hearts, minds and bodies require strength, softness, confidence, free flow of breath and the space for quiet reflection. In this way we get to deeply know ourselves and develop the faith and confidence to life an inspired and joyous life. The classes Kim teaches are moving meditations, a pathway of stilling the mind, accepting and celebrating the body and allowing prana to flow.

SAM FORD- RYT 500 Jayayoga, Bliss Baby Prenatal, Bliss Baby Postnatal

It was Sam’s passion for body movement as a professional dancer that initially led her to yoga, which became a necessity to upkeep her strength amidst the demands of the 23 years that she was a performing artist. Deep down she could sense that teaching yoga was her calling, and this became a reality once she immigrated to New Zealand from South Africa.

Sam is a dedicated member of the Jayayoga teaching and facilitating team, and continues to expand her level of knowledge as her passion for yoga grows. She believes that the connection between mind, body and soul connects us directly with our own universal divinity.

Sam is also a Jayayoga Teacher Training Facilitator

THOM OOSTERHOF- RYT 200 Jayayoga

Thom's journey to Yoga began with his first ever class, taught by none other than our very own founder and lead teacher Jen. Thom’s journey then led him to train with Jayayoga back in 2016 and has been teaching ever since. He has taken his teachings to Amsterdam and now returns to Auckland to continue his studies and further his teaching.

For Thom, Yoga is the portal to feeling grounded and centered yet full of vitality in both our bodies and minds. Through focusing on these key concepts, Thom teachings harness the power of breath work with the anatomy and dedication of the asanas. His aim is to allow students to further explore their bodies and bring awareness to the fluctuations of their minds. Through building on this bodily and mental awareness the practitioner comes into greater states of understanding and inner peace.

Fleur is a native born Kiwi, raised right here on the north shore of Auckland! Originally a Science and Business major at Auckland University, she used Yoga as a means to cope with the rigors of study, and she fast fell in love with it.

As a swimming school teacher for 8 years, Fleur then found the transition into yoga teaching relatively seamless, and sought out Jayayoga to carry her through both her 200-Hour and 300-Hour certifications. In addition to her accounting job, Fleur teaches a variety of yoga classes around Auckland, with a specialized passion for restorative and women’s focused yoga.